Student Health News

Student Health Center offers range of health and wellness activities in February

Is your student dissatisfied with his or her body or have an intense fear of gaining weight? Does he or she over-exercise, restrict calories, or think about food all the time? Or perhaps avoids eating around other people, or feels powerless around food? If students are concerned about their eating habits, they may find it helpful to talk to someone at UNM Student Health and Counseling (SHAC). SHAC will sponsor Healthy Body Image Screening Day on Wednesday, Feb. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at SHAC, room 155 (outside SHAC's west entrance). SHAC will offer anonymous screenings for eating disorders as well as information on how to stop letting food, weight, and calories control a student's life. Students will have the opportunity to complete a written self-assessment and meet one-to-one with a mental health professional.

Even those who do not have a diagnosable eating disorder can benefit from this program. Food concerns, body dissatisfaction, and low self-esteem can keep a student from achieving at school or sports and hinders social activities like dating or being with friends. The program offers education and screening to help students stop unhealthy eating habits before they evolve into full-blown eating disorders. For students with busy schedules, free online screenings are also available on the SHAC web site for a range of mental health conditions. Immediately following a screening, students receive feedback about their scores, along with referral information to campus resources if appropriate. For more info, call SHAC Counseling Services at (505) 277-4537.

Student Health 101, February 2010: The latest issue of the UNM e-magazine Student Health 101 (SH101) has a lot of valuable info for students and their parents. Here are the stories you'll find in the February issue:

• How to Check on the Health of Your Relationships
• Spring Breaks That Won't Break the Bank
• 6 Signs That Say You Should See a Doctor Now
• How to Help a Friend (or Stranger) in Need
• Understanding and Dealing with Eating Disorders
• Keep Your Computer from Hurting You
• Students in Action: Students at Johns Hopkins University Help the Hungry

As a UNM parent, you can read SH101's Parent Perspective, the parents-only edition that summarizes the topics covered in your student's SH101 issue. All of the articles link to campus and local resources for UNM students. SH101 also has an online General Health Guide, which is a quick reference for common health questions and emergencies for students. Visit the SHAC web site to read the latest issue, access the General Health Guide, or opt in to receive this monthly magazine by e-mail.

Student Health Insurance-Spring/Summer 2009 Deadline: The last day to enroll for the UNM Accident & Sickness Health Insurance program is Tuesday, Feb. 9. Students can sign up at the SHAC Reception Area, or they can enroll online. For more info, visit the SHAC web site. Students can contact SHAC with questions about the insurance plan at (505) 277-3136 or unminsur@unm.edu.

H1N1 Influenza Update: For the latest info about seasonal and H1N1 prevention efforts at UNM (and what you can do if you get sick), visit the UNM Emergency Management web site. For updates on the availability of vaccine for UNM students, visit the SHAC web site, or call the SHAC Immunization Clinic at (505) 277-7925.

Focused Awareness Workshop Series: Students can learn to manage stress and maintain emotional awareness by enrolling in an educational workshop series focused on tools for "healthy living," including mindful living, conscious breathing, meditation, relaxation exercises, guided imagery, visualization, and healing through sound. Weekly sessions run on Wednesdays from 3-5 pm, Feb. 17 through March 31. (No session on March 17 during UNM Spring Break). The cost for six sessions is $30. To reserve a space, call SHAC at (505) 277-4537.

SHAC Counseling Services
Spring 2010 Workshop Schedule
Each workshop has one session.

Anger Management

Wed., Feb. 10, 3:00-5:00 pm
Thu., Mar. 25, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Tue., Apr. 20, 3:00-5:00 pm

FREE to UNM Students! Call (505) 277-4537 to sign up.

Test Anxiety

Thu., Feb. 18, 3:00-5:00 pm
Wed., Apr. 7, 3:00-5:00 pm